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“I would highly recommend using his law firm. They are very personal and I could contact him at any time and I did.”
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“Mr. Pemerton and his staff helped me out tremendously during a very difficult time in my life.”
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“If you are searching for an amazing team or have felt like there is no hope. Bill Pemerton is your guy!”
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How Our Chattanooga Divorce Lawyers Help Clients Through Divorce
Our Chattanooga-based attorneys help our clients resolve common divorce issues, such as:
- If you have children, child custody may be your top concern. We also address child support, which is financial support paid for a couple’s children after divorce.
- Dividing assets after a TN divorce may also be an issue of contention. Property, debt, investment accounts, and retirement plans all need to be considered.
- Alimony may also be important to consider. It may be critical if one spouse is advanced in age, sick, or disabled.
An uncontested divorce is available when both spouses agree on all terms. We can help draft agreements, prepare and file the divorce petition, and take the matter through the final decree. When issues remain disputed, the process can also include mediation and court hearings.
After a marriage ends in Tennessee, many decisions must be made. When you have questions about your legal rights, our law firm has answers.
Tennessee Filing Requirements & Waiting Periods
When the grounds for divorce occurred in Tennessee, the spouse filing must have been a bona fide Tennessee resident at that time. If the grounds occurred outside the state, either spouse must have lived in Tennessee for six months before filing. Tennessee recognizes 15 statutory grounds, including irreconcilable differences, adultery, and desertion for one year.
A divorce complaint must be on file for at least 60 days before a hearing when the spouses have no unmarried child under 18. The waiting period is 90 days when they have an unmarried child under 18. Hamilton County Circuit Court and Chancery Court handle divorce matters, and parents must form a parenting plan and complete the required divorce and mediation or parenting education training.
Is Tennessee a 50/50 State for Divorce Matters?
Tennessee isn’t a 50-50 state for dividing marital property in a divorce. Instead, TN is an equitable distribution state for property division in divorce, but TN courts must evaluate a list of factors in determining which spouse receives what assets.
Our family law firm is available to advise you during an emotional divorce, including:
- Timing: When you’re concerned about the timetable, or don’t even know where to start, our attorneys can give you an overview of the emotional divorce recovery. Our legal team can discuss a strategy with you.
- Estate Planning and Business Implications: Our attorneys will advise you regarding the implications of divorce on important estate planning matters like wills and trusts, and how your divorce will affect your business in Tennessee.
What Is a Wife Entitled to in a Tennessee Divorce?
A wife isn’t automatically entitled to an equal share of all marital assets. Tennessee courts divide marital property through equitable distribution, which means the property division must be fair under the statutory factors rather than automatically equal. Those factors include each spouse’s financial position and ability to earn income. Alimony is evaluated separately based on factors that include one spouse’s need and the other spouse’s ability to pay.
Understanding Divorce Costs in Chattanooga, TN
The cost of a divorce in Chattanooga, Tennessee, can vary depending on several factors, including the case’s complexity, the attorney’s experience, attorney’s fees, and additional expenses. These expenses include filing fees, process service, discovery, and mediation.
If you have alimony or property division issues, the cost of your divorce may be higher. You may also have to pay additional fees if you have children and need to hire a guardian ad litem or a child custody evaluator.
There are ways to keep the costs of your divorce down. One way is to handle joint credit card debt during the divorce process. If you can agree on the terms of your divorce, you can avoid going to court through a conflict-free divorce. Another way to save money is to choose a less experienced attorney.
However, it’s essential to remember that you get what you pay for, and an experienced attorney can save you money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes.
It’s essential to talk to an attorney to get an estimate of the cost of your divorce. It would be best to ask about the attorney’s experience and fees.
Schedule Your Consultation with Our Chattanooga Divorce Legal Professionals
If you’re contemplating a divorce, you can meet with a member of our legal team. Even if you’re in the midst of keeping your divorce private, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our law firm in TN. Contact Horton, Ballard & Pemerton PLLC, located in Chattanooga, TN, to address your legal needs.
Call our family law firm in Chattanooga, TN at (423) 427-4944 or fill out our online form.
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